The New York Giants were scheduled for practice No. 9 of organized team activities (OTAs) on Thursday but ultimately decided against it. Due to poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires, head coach Brian Daboll said it was in the best interest of the players to take the day off.
Initially, the Giants had moved practice indoors but with smoke still choking the area and worries that some had leaked into the building, they erred on the side of caution.
The team held early morning meetings and then informed members of the media, who were attending their final open OTA of the year, that practice had been canceled. Daboll apologized to the group.
Daboll said he left the decision to the people with MD and all the initials after their names.
— Dan Salomone (@Dan_Salomone) June 8, 2023
Because of ongoing concerns, some of which were raised by players, the Giants also decided to cancel the 10th and final practice of OTAs that had been scheduled for Friday.
Brian Daboll tells us that some Giants players said something to the medical staff about the hazy air in the practice bubble while holding meetings in a tent inside this area. Doctors and Daboll and Joe Schoen huddled up and determined they will cancel practice both today & 2moro pic.twitter.com/bGeVUJRuBX
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) June 8, 2023
On Thursday morning, the air quality reached 184 on the AQI index, which is considered “unhealthy.” However, in surrounding areas and New York City, the AQI has gone as high as 377 — the worst air quality level in New York’s recorded history.
In addition to canceling both remaining practices, the Giants also canceled player availability on Thursday. The team’s coordinators held press conferences prior to the cancelation.
If the air quality clears up in time, the Giants will hold their mandatory two-day minicamp from June 13-14.
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